Netflix removes show after Saudi complaint

02/01/2019

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Hasan Minhaj questioned Saudi Arabia’s account of Jamal Khashoggi’s death Netflix has removed from its streaming service in Saudi Arabia an episode of a satirical comedy that was critical of the kingdom’s rulers.The second episode of Patriot Act, with US comedian Hasan Minhaj, was removed following an official complaint…

Khashoggi was an outspoken critic of the Saudi royal family and his articles in the Washington Post had been particularly critical of the crown prince.

Riyadh has charged 11 people with the murder but strongly denies that the crown prince was involved.

In the episode, Minhaj also criticises Saudi involvement in the conflict in Yemen.

Netflix confirmed it had removed the episode last week following a request from the kingdom’s Communications and Information Technology Commission, the FT reported.

The streaming service defended its decision saying: “We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and only removed this episode in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request – and to comply with local law.”

Khashoggi’s editor at The Washington Post, Karen Attiah, tweeted that the decision was “quite outrageous”.